Section 5

250 AD. Reverse Side of The World…

"A failure.", the 'man' says

The one beside him looks at the potential host, then looks at his king.

"My Lord, I am sorry that 'Altrouge' failed. I suppose mixing together a Dead Apostle and a True Ancestor was an idea doomed to fail. Surprisingly however, is that she is fit to be a successor to you, carrying on the Brunestud name. The potential is indeed there, but sealed off due to heavy blockage. We are getting closer. Is that not great?"

"I suppose so. Gransurg, exactly what went wrong with this one?"

"Like I said, mixing the two races seems to have made her body unstable. If you possessed her in the unlikely instance of your demise, I would imagine you would not be able to keep control. In addition, you would be weaker due to the mixing race. It would overall be better to keep the next body as a pure True Ancestor just as you are."

The naked girl on the table begins to awaken. She is new to this world, she doesn't know what the two are talking about. No thoughts run through the girl's head, she doesn't understand anything yet.

"What now, my Lord? Shall we continue this?"

"Yes, it has appeared I have made too many enemies by simply existing. In the off chance of my death, I would like a way to revive, and the easiest way is via possession. Male or female, young or old, it matters not to me. My only request is that they are strong enough to host me and the powers of the moon. And keep them humanoid."

"Very well, now, what shall we do with Altrouge? I have confirmed she is sentient and conscious, or will be anyway, she is most likely awakening as we speak."

"It would be a waste to throw her away. Just like all the others, allow her to roam free, but not here, I mean on the surface."

"My Lord?"

"The pure True Ancestors will not allow a half breed to just walk around as she pleases. Send her to the surface and allow her to roam around and do whatever she wants. Should I desperately need a new body, I can go to her then."

"Very well."

The girl knows her purpose now. To someday house the Ultimate One of the Moon. Her mind has become more clear by now as she's been given time to properly wake. Her 14 year old body was pre gifted with knowledge when she was created. She knows what the Crimson Moon knows.

A being who once resided on the Moon. The Earth called to him one day, asking for help to keep the humans in check. In exchange, the Earth would allow the Moon to gain a humanoid form, and allow him to live on its surface as one who ruled. For extra help, Brunestud created more offspring in his image to defend Earth should the need arise.

Brunestud went around Earth, challenging those he thought were strong for entertainment and to test his own skill, while establishing dominance at the same time. He met several companions such as Gransurg Blackmore, once a simple mage turned vampire after losing, but surviving a duel by sheer luck. Another was Merem Solomon, who was kept captive in a village for his gift of conjuring beasts since he was a terminal for the planet. The vampire king took notice and thought it was interesting, so he faced these monsters himself and won. Slaughtering the village and resurrecting the boy in the morning, Merem felt a great deal of gratitude toward the man.

His first follower however, was a man known as Trhvmn Ortenrosse. Brunestud took an interest in him due to him turning himself into a vampire with only science. Up until then, that is all he had done, challenge people to fights, gain followers, and plot to take over the world as his own kingdom. Seeing his potential but unlikely downfall, he decided to attempt and create spare bodies to continue living. Altrouge was one of those and so far, the closest to being successful.

"Then, what now? "My Lord? Shall I start with creating a new one right away?"

"Yes, we have no time to waste. I will bring this one to the surface."

"Very well, the next body will take a long time, just like this one."

"What is that look for, my Lord? Are you happy about something?"

"It is just a feeling about this next one. I feel as if they will be the one to carry on my legacy."

"Well, if you say so, then it must be right!"

Turning his back with the girl in his arms, he vanished from the castle and up to the surface of Earth.

The only thing Altrouge thought, was to make her Father proud. She was going to become strong enough, grow, and rule over everyone. All so her Father would recognize her strength and would acknowledge her, she will not be a failure, she just knows it. This unremarkable vampire with no special powers can still, despite all odds, become stronger than the Crimson Moon. No matter how long it took. No matter what she had to do…no matter what deals had to be made…

Nick awakes from his sleep, the time is about 9:00 AM.

Well, time to start the da-

"Hey, Olga?"

"Yes?"

"Why are you in my tent, and watching me sleep, on top of that?"

"I was curious to know if vampires slept."

"Yes, we do. It helps maintain energy."

She gets closer. "You can walk around in the day, how is that possible?"

"I'm special."

Even closer. "A friendly vampire, hmm? How did we not notice this when you visited the Doctor or when you first joined?"

"I can hide it well. I hide lots of things."

She now is on top of Nick's body as he still lays there. "So you're a liar?"

"You're mad, aren't you?"

"Stop avoiding the question."

Ugh, I'll just enchant her. I don't want to talk about this right now.

"Hm? What was I talking about just now? Whatever. Explain yourself, vampire!"

What the hell!? She bounced back that fast?

"Fine. Yes, I'm a vampire who sides with humanity. I have zero intention at the moment of causing serious harm or else bad people will kill me in an instant. I never told any of you because you wouldn't trust a vampire on your side, but surely I've proven myself by now."

"Ah. I see, a vampire who aids humanity. I never knew such a thing existed."

"Sorry I had to lie, but it was the only way."

"Tell me, why did you join Chaldea? Was it to protect humanity?"

"No. I figured strong people would be there for me to fight. So I went and was not wrong at all. Severely underestimated what I would fight though. I went in thinking I'd fight mages, but here I am fighting Servants. I love testing my limits."

"Eh?", Olga begins to lightly punch Nick in the chest. "I can't believe you're here for a stupid reason like that! Do you even care about humanity at all!?"

"Nope, I only care about a select few. I need to keep humanity going, and I need to continue living. I promised Tomo that. I care about those of you at Chaldea too. I thought you wouldn't amount to much at the start, but I guess you've all grown on me."

"Speaking of which, how's your neck?"

"Sore but I'll be fine. I feel good otherwise, sleeping helped a lot. Did you all beat Vlov?"

Nick catches her up to speed.

"I see, they Altrouge seems pretty intimidating."

"Something's off about her. She's acting weirdly confident, plus those new powers of hers. She's up to something."

"You think so? I'll trust you on that then."

Olga gets off him and he also stands up. Walking over to the corner, he picks up his Chaldea uniform.

"Shoo, shoo."

"Huh? Why?"

"Pervert Director, watching one of your workers change. Very dirty of you. Unless…", Nick says with a massive grin on his face.

"I didn't know you were about to change, you didn't say anything. And no, I don't want to see your body. Bye!"

Olga leaves the tent.

I really hope none of my memories leaked to her. She definitely would not trust me after she saw those.

Nick quickly changes and walks out.

"Is there any food left?"

Mash pulls out a sandwich. "I saved this one for you.", she hands it over to him.

"Thanks, it looks good." If only my taste wasn't dulled a ton.

"Let us discuss our plan of action now that everyone is here. The final battle begins today. How far away is Saint-Émilion from here?"

Ritsuka holds up a map. "About 860 kilometers. From Hunspach."

The Director's jaw drops. "We can't walk that! What are we gonna do!?"

"Let's think about that for a while. We could always drive, but our licenses would say we are too young to rent a car.", Alice says.

"Well, in the meantime, let's just head back to Hunspach, we can stay one more night and then check out of the inn."

It takes us a few hours, but we arrive back to where we started. We walk back to the inn and relax for the day. After what we went through, we definitely need it.

Jeanne Alter and Edmond remain in their spirit forms, or they were supposed to but instead went off on their own. Jeanne wearing the clothes she was gifted while Edmond wears a suit, he seemingly ditched his cape for now.

Jeanne seems disgusted at modern France while Edmond treats it no different and is polite to those he comes across.

Us Master candidates and Mash rest up before the final battle.

Hm? I just sat on the bed but now I'm here? I thought Arcueid said she didn't want to talk anymore?

"Apologies for the sudden transfer. I waited until you were alone. It would appear to others that you are asleep."

"Don't worry about it, I was resting anyway. What did you need?"

The two are now in the observatory section of the Millenium Castle, a place to view the reverse side in all its glory. The moon shines bright above, and trees dance in the wind.

"I wanted to ask about my Big Sister. How has she been?"

"Hm? What do you mean? Are you worried?"

"Slightly. From the glimpses I have taken, she seems oddly out of character."

"You've noticed too? Wait, you've been watching?"

"Not very much, I am busy most of the time, but I have taken peaks occasionally. I have full faith that you can deal with her, but should it get too out of hand, I shall be forced to step in to aid Chaldea. And I think I will."

"What? Please, she's just an overconfident child. She has a Holy Grail, so what? I'm more worried about those guards of hers."

"I hope you are right, but this is a strange situation. I am sure you have noticed that new power of hers, I am attempting to see what it is, but for some reason, I cannot identify it."

"Can't you read about it? I believe the library is still here somewhere unless you removed it."

"It is not that. I physically am unable to read it. No matter how much I try, I just cannot."

"What? The great Arcueid, Archetype of Earth can't read it?"

"It is not in any language I know. In any case, be very careful around her. Something is not right, I fear she has perhaps made a contract with something bad. Her lust for power has gone too far."

"Well, whatever it may be, I'll just kill her. Someone of her power shouldn't be an issue for me."

"Do not get overconfident, you have 'died' before after all. Overconfidence is a weakness of yours."

"Don't mention that. In any case, I will be careful around Altrouge. Oh, I did meet her yesterday. She still looks the same. But she doesn't seem bothered by us. Like how humans would act toward an ant. We are nothing to her."

"I also killed 'Vlov' again. So that was something…"

"I see. Well, do not rely on me to save you all. I can only go if the situation gets that dire. I cannot just leave when I want as you know."

"Got it."

"…"

"By the way, do not think I have not noticed your poor attempts at flirting with that woman."

"I actually think I'm doing quite a good job. I'm confident she's into m- YOU WATCHED ME DO THAT!?"

"Of course I have, by accident of course. Tell me, what do you find so interesting in a human?"

"I think she's amusing. Besides, I kinda like being bossed around by her. It's something that's never happened before so it's a weird feeling now."

Arcueid just stares at him with the most disappointed look imaginable. She manifests a sword and swings at him.

"Hey! What are you doing!?", Nick manifests his own sword and blocks the attack.

"Human life has ruined you. I knew it. I should have killed you ten years ago when I had the chance."

"Are you really trying to kill me!?"

"Yes. I thought I could give you a second chance but I was mistaken. Die!"

Chains wrap around Arcueid, keeping her in place.

"I'll be heading out now. The chains will be undone once I leave. Thanks for the talk!"

"Wait! Come back here you, coward!"

"I'd rather not die, thank you very much."

Nick vanishes from the castle and the chains come off of Arcueid.

"Ugh, what has he gotten himself into? He was never like this before. People CAN change after all.", she smiles to herself.

"I suppose that is the reason I decided to spare him, because he said he would change and I believed him. Besides, in that timeline, I fell in love with a very ordinary human, didn't I?"

Nick wakes back up in the armchair in his room at the inn. He stretches and stands up.

"The time is…5:14. I'll take a walk."

He walks out of his room and into the hallway and Mash is just walking by his room right as he exits.

"Oh, Mash, what are you up to?"

"Huh? Oh, hello, Nick. I was just about to go on a walk. Would you like to join me?"

"Sure, I was just about to do the same anyway."

The two walk outside together.

"So, what's the rest of Chaldea up to?"

Mash cups her chin like she's thinking. "I think they are all in their rooms. Curfew is in a few hours, so I figured I'd take a quick walk."

"I see."

"…"

"By the way, what do you think we should do tomorrow to get to Altrouge's base? Should we drive?"

"Not a good idea. Well, it could work, but the problem is our licenses would say we're younger than ten considering it's 2001 here. I have a license, and so do Alice and Olga. So this isn't a bad idea, but it just won't work since you need to be 21-25 to rent a car. I'm 24 and Olga is 22, so we both could do it. But our licenses would give away that we're not from this time. We need to find another way. And we're not walking, that'll take days."

"Wait! Since those are out of the question, why not ask for Sieg's help?"

"He's just a boy, how's he going to help us with this?"

"There's a way. Can't he turn into that dragon? We can fly on his back."

"That's not a bad idea, actually. But we'll have to cloak ourselves and the enormous black dragon if we don't want Altrouge to intercept us. Good idea, Mash."

Mash smiles to herself, happy that she was praised.

"Let's tell them tomorrow morning and see if they agree. For now, I'm on board with your idea."

"Alright!"

"…And that's the plan Mash came up with. Any objections?"

We sat at our usual café spot eating breakfast. We have yet to check out of the inn, and are waiting to decide what to do for transportation. Mash's idea doesn't sound so bad.

"We can count on Sieg being helpful, of course!", the Director says. "It will take us no more than a few hours to reach our next location, but I know a few spells to cloak us and Sieg himself."

"Understood."

Ugh, I don't really like riding that high up. I shudder at the thought. But if it's the easiest way, I suppose it's the best way to do it.

Jeanne Alter looks up from her now empty plate. "You've actually added a dragon to your ranks? You're kidding…"

"It's no joke, he's very much able to do that. But staying in the form of Fafnir over time consumes a lot of mana, like a vintage sports car would guzzle down gasoline. But he will help us no matter what."

Back in Chaldea…

"A-Achoo!"

"That was a strong one. Are you alright, Sieg-kun?"

"Just a sneeze, I'll be okay, Ruler. I feel like someone's talking about me…"

Jeanne Alter scoffs at the idea that a Servant would willingly become something as mighty as a dragon, especially the embodiment of greed that Siegfried had to defeat in his legend.

"I still don't buy it. I will pass my own judgment onto this 'Sieg' fellow too."

"Your expectations will be blown away, just you wait.", Ritsuka smirks.

"Yeah yeah, keep sucking him off."

The Director begins to speak again. "We will check out of the inn after this and head out at once. It'll be kind of sad to leave this place, but I suppose there's no choice. Make sure you have everything and give it to Alice to store away."

"Am I just the party's bank now?", Alice pouts.

"Of course not! It's just convenient, besides, weren't you the one who offered?", Ritsuka nervously says, not wanting to accidentally piss the woman off.

"Yeah I did.", Alice smiles. "I'm just messing with you all, I don't have a problem with this. My Imaginary Space doesn't have a limit that I know of."

"What do you even have in there?" I ask.

"Hundreds of weapons like guns, blades, basically every type of weapon in existence besides nukes and heavy bombs like that. I don't have magical weapons there either. I have my motorcycle, but we can't use it here since it can only fit two. Random items I found and threw in just in case, survival items, basically, you name it and I most likely have it. As long as it's a normal item and not a super rare magical item. I carry all this with me just in case I ever need them. I also have very personal items in there too."

"Wow, can you fit people in there?", Ritsuka questions.

"Technically yes, but it's not safe. A person can easily…how do I put this. Imagine a file on a computer gets corrupted, replace the file with a human. You see where I'm going with this? It's not safe for people there."

"That sucks. Would've been really convenient."

"Agreed. But this is just how it is."

We finish up our breakfast, pack up, check out, and get on our way.

"So, where should we set up?"

"What about that forest from before? No one will be around to see."

"Sounds good."

After another hour or two, we make it to where we were before.

"Wait! If I summon Sieg as a Shadow Servant. How will I maintain him as Fafnir for what seems to be a few hours?"

It's only now that Ritsuka realizes this.

"Sieg told us he's only a Servant by a technicality. I wouldn't advise using just your magic circuits to keep him going, when we can also use the nearly inexhaustible reactor cores at Chaldea."

"I'm gonna hold you to your word, Director."

"I will summon him now."

Ritsuka sticks out his hand and presses one of the buttons on his arm, the ground lights up, and Sieg appears to us.

"Huh? THAT is your Fafnir?"

Jeanne Alter spouts. It's like she's mocking Sieg.

"Hey, Master. Quite strange for you to summon in a place so calm, what's the matter?"

"Sieg, we need to move to a different location in the country, but it's really far away from us, both on car and on foot. I'd like you to fly us there while transformed into Fafnir. We'll provide you with the cloaking magecraft."

"I agree with your terms on this, so long as you can protect me."

"If you're in danger, I'll summon some more of our friends to help."

Sieg looks behind Ritsuka and he can recognize everyone in the party that accompanied his friend, but who caught his eye was someone that looked just like the Jeanne d'Arc he knew and loved so dearly. Her appearance was a little different, however.

"Master, who is that woman with the white hair? And why does she look like Ruler?"

"We don't know how to explain it ourselves, but she calls herself Jeanne d'Arc too. She is more like an Alter of Jeanne d'Arc, though."

"The hell are you looking at, boy?", Jeanne Alter calls out to Sieg, who until now had maintained a gaze on her. He could hardly believe his eyes. Leaving Ritsuka's side, he walks to where the rest of the party is, greeting everyone until he reaches the girl.

"Hey, Sieg! Is everything good?"

"Yeah, Serena. Though I can see the fear of flying atop my back again on your face."

"Looks like we'll be under your care again, Sieg."

"It's the opposite, actually. Please, take care of me."

Nick nods.

"Good to see you again, Sieg."

"Good morning, Alice."

"Are you ready to take flight, Sieg?"

"I'll be okay, I had to do this for you guys before. Are you okay?"

"A little tired due to some things I've been through recently, but I'll be fine."

"Sieg, it's so good to see you!"

"You too, Mash."

"I'll let you know that I gave Senpai the idea to summon you here to help us."

"Good job!"

Mash beams a warm smile at Sieg.

Lastly, Sieg meets the two new Servants that Ritsuka had met within the Singularity. As his good manners demanded of him, he first spoke to the lady that looked just like the Jeanne d'Arc he knew. She had been glaring at him ever since he started to greet everyone.

"This, I certainly was not expecting…"

"Took the words right out of my mouth, boy. Have we met before and I just forgot about it?"

"No, but you have a STRIKING resemblance to a girl I know. You two have the same voice, a similarly strict attitude, a natural beauty, and you must be just as strong as she is…"

Sieg surmised after having a quick look at Jeanne Alter. To him she was recognizable, but much of her just seemed off to him.

"Quit trying to eat me with your eyes, you're not my type. You're way too nice and polite to be my type."

"How rude. I heard that you don't believe I can become Fafnir, the dragon that is the embodiment of greed. But, I'll prove you wrong in just a bit. My name is Sieg."

Sieg extends his open hand to the Avenger, expecting to at least shake her hand.

"Sieg? As in, Siegfried? I know there's a Saber with that name, but I also didn't expect him to look like this…"

Jeanne Alter didn't seem to be entirely careless towards the boy, so she followed his prompt and shook his hand.

"I'm a 'Caster' Class Servant. Thanks to my heart, and the Command Seals on my left hand, I'm able to transform into both Siegfried and Fafnir. Though only for a limited time.", Sieg explained to Jeanne Alter.

"What the fuck? How come I never heard of you?"

"I have been blessed by Heaven's Feel, a magic from the true Greater Grail. I can create a Saint Graph that is identical to my real body if I want. It's how I'm helping Chaldea, I've only recently become a Servant."

"Okay, okay, enough with the history lesson, we're wasting time. I'm the Avenger Servant, Jeanne d'Arc."

Upon introducing herself with these last words of hers, memories flashed inside Sieg's mind. He could fondly remember when he and the Ruler first met in the forest near the Millenia Castle at the break of dawn, in the Trifas of the real world.

"Yes. Now for the last of you…"

Sieg walks to her side and begins talking to the other Avenger Servant in our party. "I find you to be quite scary, you must be an Avenger as well…"

"And you're correct, young man. I am the Count of Monte Cristo."

They shake hands.

"I am Sieg. Good to have two more Servants aiding us, I'm sure you are strong."

"You guessed right. Now, we have been waiting for you."

"Yes, my apologies."

Sieg returns to Ritsuka and starts walking further away from us. As a dragon, I know that Sieg occupies quite a lot of space.

"Just stay where you all are. Give me a moment."

"Transform. A pilgrimage to the beyond…!"

Green electricity begins to come out from his body and a flash of light almost blinds us. When my sight has returned to normal, I can now see that Sieg has once again taken the form of Fafnir.

"H-HUH?! HE WAS SERIOUS?!"

Jeanne Alter shouts, not believing her eyes.

"I'll curl over and let you guys get on my back. Just get on my hands and I'll do the rest.", Sieg instructs us.

Sieg's claw is just large enough for four of us to get on it at a time. And our Servants probably won't need to use it to get on top of him. For now, Olga, Ritsuka, Mash and Alice have gone up first. Looks like Nick and I will go last. Dantès has vanished, and Jeanne Alter is approaching Fafnir alone. She's marveled by it…

After all six of us are aboard, and even the Count, our other Avenger is still on the ground, looking all over Fafnir like a curious child.

"Um, Avenger?", Sieg calls out to her. She jumps upon hearing that same gentle voice now coming out of the menacing creature's mouth.

"W-What?"

"It's time to go!"

"Oh, okay! I can just jump to where the others are!"

After a bit of climbing around the scales of Fafnir, Jeanne Alter joins us too.

"Which direction do I need to fly?"

Mash raises her voice.

"Directly the way you are facing, it's nearly a straight shot!"

"Understood, I will go as far as I can, but can make no promises on making it all the way."

And we take off into the air and toward our destination. I grab onto Alice's waist so as to not fall off and she doesn't seem to mind. It's not like I've never done this before with her though, like that time we rode her bike together.

Jeanne Alter and Edmond seem like they are doing just fine while standing still on Fafnir's back. Those are Servants for you. Jeanne Alter's interest in Sieg's dragon form hasn't gone down one bit since even before he took flight, but why is that? I've only seen her act coldly towards us until now.

With our next destination in mind, we soar off into the blue sky. Not knowing the future that awaits us…